Red Bull Racing is facing a problem that every superior championship favorite team faces. Similar to Mercedes from 2014 to 2016, Red Bull is seeing Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez go at each other’s throats. The scenario is not as bad as Hamilton-Rosberg’s yet. However, there are obvious signs of contention and the scope of things taking a turn for the worse. In fact, everyone in the world of F1 has been speculating about growing tensions between the two as the season progresses. However, Sergio Perez put all these speculations to bed with his recent confession.

Perez and Verstappen’s relationship started deteriorating after the 2022 Monaco GP. Verstappen showcased that the scenario in Monaco bothered him by taking revenge in Brazil. However, most people assumed they had left this in the past. Although, in the second race of the season, Verstappen took away Perez’s fastest lap. These constant acts of pettiness proved there are still some cracks in their relationship. However, as quoted by Motorsport-Total, Perez has a healthy and mature relationship with his teammate.

“I’m here to do my best, too. But to be honest, we have a lot more respect for each other than people out there might think,” the Mexican clarifies. “There’s a great atmosphere in the team,” says Perez, adding: “I think we’re both mature enough to know what’s right and what’s wrong. As long as that’s the case, I don’t expect anything to change.”

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This is not the first occasion where Perez has defended his relationship with Verstappen publicly. In fact, Perez served up the relationship update on a platter before the season opener with a side of warning.

Sergio Perez made a similar statement on his understanding with Max Verstappen

The incident in the 2022 Brazil GP become a huge topic of discussion within the F1 community. Had Red Bull not gotten a hold of that situation, things could’ve become ugly between their drivers. Although maturity prevailed and Perez was back to thinking about the bigger picture in no time without any ill intentions.

He communicated that during a conversation with Fox Sports before the season opener. “It’s always important to work as a team and obviously if I see that I don’t receive support when I need it, I won’t give it either, that’s obvious, but I don’t expect any of that,” said Perez.

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Respect is reciprocated and not demanded. Perez started the 2023 season with the same mentality. Let’s see if he will stick to being a team player if push comes to shove, and he finds himself being out favored in the championship compared to his teammate.